Real Madrid CONFIRM interest in Liverpool star

Real Madrid legend and B-team coach Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that the Spanish giants are watching Raheem Sterling‘s contract situation at Liverpool with interest ahead of a possible move this summer.

The England international has turned down a £100,000-a-week deal with the Reds and talks will not resume until the summer – by which point Sterling will know if he can play Champions League football at Anfield next season.

If the Reds fail to finish in the top four, it is looking increasingly likely that Sterling will depart with Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich all linked.

But it’s Madrid that could be the most attractive option for the 20-year-old attacker and Zidane has labelled Sterling as “one of the best young talents in the world”.

“We know who Raheem Sterling is, and of course we are monitoring him as a player,” Zidane is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.”

“There are very few players in the world who can improve the Real Madrid squad, so it is going to make sense we monitor the progress of the best young players in the world.”

Madrid usually get what they want when it comes to signing star names, and Zidane went on to mention that by comparing interest in Sterling to that which saw Gareth Bale, Isco and Raphael Varane all sign for Los Blancos.

“We monitored Bale for over a year, the same with Isco and also Varane.

“We monitor many of the best young players in Europe, then if we feel they have something to offer Real Madrid we will contact their club and try and make the next step.”

Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to try and keep his squad together ahead of next season but has admitted that it will be difficult to attract big names to Anfield without Champions League qualification.

If you can’t get big names in, star players usually head out the exit door. Steven Gerrard has already got his move to LA Galaxy arranged, while Jordan Henderson is also being linked with a move away from the club amid interest from Chelsea.

Liverpool have slapped a £50 million price tag on Sterling’s head but will not want to see their young star leave as they look to renegotiate a new contract at the end of the season.

Is Raheem Sterling destined to leave Liverpool this summer? Would Real Madrid be the best move for him?